The price of insulin and prescription drugs continue to dominate the issues facing people with diabetes in the USA. As part of their campaign to raise awareness and prompt action, the Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition (DPAC), is holding a virtual Hill Day in June.
The event involves advocates from different states signing up to lobby their representatives on Capitol Hill, the seat of US Government, in Washington DC. DPAC says it has identified ‘Champions’ from 27 states so far (June 1) who will join efforts to raise the voice and profile of the diabetes community on the Hill. They are asking Congress for affordable insulin, and to fulfil their promise to lower the cost of prescription drugs.
DPAC is also asking Congress to ensure Medicare coverage for anti-obesity medication to help address the obesity epidemic. New advances in medicine have led to anti-obesity drugs that the US regulatory body, the FDA, have approved but Congress hasn’t kept up.
Modernizing coverage to include anti-obesity medication is needed especially in light of recent data on severe cases of COVID-19 and people with diabetes and obesity.
Advocacy Action: Does your national diabetes organisation or other diabetes group organise action days to lobby legislators? Could you suggest the idea in your country? Lobby events like this can prove highly successful at raising awareness and encouraging action, as well as gaining media coverage for those involved. They are also great ways to recruit other elected representatives to assist your advocacy.